When the power goes out, this is how it is colloquially known when there is a power outage at home, the office or any other place where we live and/or work. Generally, it creates an environment of great stress and collective discomfort, since the activities we are doing are interrupted, whether for leisure or activities on which a life depends. However, when the power goes out, it is important to stay calm and follow some simple steps. This can reduce the impact and help you cope effectively until power is restored.
Why does the power go out?
It is important to know why the power goes out, because there are several origins such as technical failures in the network, maintenance work not announced to users or climatic situations such as strong winds or storms that unexpectedly affect the power supply in the area.
In addition to these circumstances, other reasons for power failures are due to predictable and manageable circumstances, either on the part of the energy supplier or on our part. That is why it is important to recognize the cause of the damage and prevent it from happening again.
Main reasons for power outages
On most occasions, power outages or blackouts are due to unpredictable and unmanageable circumstances. The most common causes of power failure can be:
Voltage overload on a system:
This happens when there are too many devices connected at the same time and the capacity of the circuit is exceeded, that is, the Power capacity (KW) is exceeded. In this case, it is best to disconnect devices to reduce the load.
Failures in the power supply network:
The reasons for a power outage may be beyond your control, especially when they are grid failures caused by storms or high winds. In situations like this, lightning strikes or short circuits can cause sudden surges in voltage. These voltage spikes exceed the capacity of devices connected on the same electrical circuit, causing potential damage to such equipment.
At the same time, they can generate switching or even physical damage and result in a power outage. Scheduled maintenance by the utility company can also cause the power to go out and they are the ones who restore service in a controlled manner.
Damage to the electrical system in the home or office:
On the other hand, when the power goes out can be pre-existing internal damage, such as, for example, old wiring, faulty switches or poor operation of electrical appliances. In these situations, it is essential to contact a professional to repair the electrical fault.
What to do when the power goes out at home?
When the power goes out, that is, when there is a power outage at any time of the day, it is important to stay calm and follow some practical tips while the service is being restored:
- Find an alternative light source: turn on a flashlight with good batteries or use your cell phone’s flashlight to illuminate your space. Lighting candles is not as advisable since accidents may occur if there are solid/liquid combustibles or gas leaks, which could generate a fire.
- Disconnect electrical appliances: turn off and unplug all electronic devices and appliances to avoid damage from voltage spikes when power is restored.
- Check the electrical panel: If the power outage only affects your home, check to see if there are any switches on the electrical panel that are in protection mode. If so, you can try to restore it by first verifying that there is no anomaly.
- Report the power outage: if the power outage affects your community or a wider area, contact the electric company to report the problem and get a solution as soon as possible.
How to have electricity when the power goes out?
Currently, there are different alternatives and systems to obtain electricity in an easy, environmentally friendly and practical way when the power goes out, some of them are:
- Solar energy systems with battery back up: in an area with a lot of sun you can consider the installation of a photovoltaic solar energy system or solar panels with battery storage, to have electricity independently. It is a long term investment, but with very good benefits.
- UPS Systems: UPS Systems: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is an alternative to maintain power supply during a blackout or power failure. It is an electrical power device that generates a new source of energy. It backs up and feeds the loads with regulated voltages through its internal batteries. UPSs allow electronic devices to continue working during a power outage because the backup is immediate (0.0 milliseconds). In addition, UPS systems can protect equipment such as computers or industrial machinery against damage caused by voltage fluctuations or drops.
- Electric generators: A generator or emergency power plant can provide electricity based on fuels (gasoline, diesel, natural gas). It comes into action when the power goes out, in approximately 2-5 seconds. That is why it is important to choose a model with the power according to the needs and to use it safely. This avoids overloading or damaging the unit.
- Portable batteries: external batteries or power banks can be useful to charge mobile devices or other small appliances that need to be used on a daily basis while the service is being restored. It is important to have them pre-charged.
In summary, when the power goes out, it is a power outage and most of the time it is unpredictable, but preventive measures can be taken.
In addition, exploring energy alternatives such as solar systems, UPS or electric generators, provides the possibility of maintaining a reliable and sustainable power supply even in emergency situations for important or critical activities for users.
